Memory card

ABSTRACT

A memory card is provided to include a substrate having two pairs of edges facing each other, a plurality of first row terminals that are arranged adjacent to an edge at an insertion side of the substrate and include a first voltage power terminal for applying a first voltage and a first ground terminal, a plurality of second row terminals that are spaced farther apart from the edge at the insertion side than the plurality of first row terminals and include a second voltage power terminal for applying a second voltage and first data terminals, and a plurality of third row terminals that are spaced farther apart from the edge at the insertion side than the plurality of second row terminals and include second data terminals.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/216,278, filedMay 23, 2018, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/989,070, filed May 24, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,221,110, issuedMar. 5, 2019, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/824,061, filed Aug. 11, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,157,678, issuedDec. 18, 2018, which claims the benefit of Korean Patent ApplicationNos. 10-2015-0094934 and 10-2015-104542, filed Jul. 2, 2015 and Aug. 12,2014, respectively, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

The inventive concepts relate to a memory card, and more particularly,to a memory card that is operable at a high speed.

Because a memory card can easily store a large amount of data andbecause memory cards are easy to carry, memory cards are widely used inmobile phones and laptop computers. Memory cards may vary from eachother in size according to necessity. Because the industry is demandingmore compact, higher-speed, and higher-capacity memory cards, memorycards having smaller sizes, higher storage speeds, and greater storagecapacities are continuously being developed and released. Meanwhile, asthe requirements for memory cards used in electronic devices areincreased, methods for providing memory cards having these increasedrequirements are being evaluated.

SUMMARY

The inventive concepts provide a memory card operable at a high speed.

The inventive concepts also provide a memory card that assists inpreventing a malfunction.

The inventive concepts also provide an electronic system including animproved memory card.

According to an aspect of the inventive concepts, A memory card isprovided. The memory card may include a substrate having two pairs ofedges, in which the edges of each pair are arranged opposite to eachother; a plurality of first row terminals that are arranged adjacent toan edge at an insertion side of the substrate and comprise a firstvoltage power terminal for applying a first voltage, a first groundterminal, and first data terminals; and a plurality of second rowterminals that are spaced farther apart from the edge at the insertionside than the plurality of first row terminals and comprise a secondvoltage power terminal for applying a second voltage, and second dataterminals, wherein a distance between a center of the second rowterminals in a first direction (defined as the direction perpendicularto the edge at the insertion side) and a center of the memory card isapproximately about 20% of a length of the memory card in the firstdirection, or less.

In one embodiment, the first data terminals may include a pair of firstdata input terminals and a pair of first data output terminals, and thesecond data terminals may comprise a pair of second data input terminalsand a pair of second data output terminals.

In another embodiment, the first data input terminals and the first dataoutput terminals may be spaced apart from each other with a groundterminal disposed therebetween. And the second data input terminals andthe second data output terminals may be spaced apart from each otherwith a ground terminal disposed therebetween.

In another embodiment, the second row terminals may further include acard detection terminal disposed adjacent to the second voltage powerterminal, wherein the card detection terminal is a grounded terminal.

In another embodiment, no terminal may be disposed between a front endof the card detection terminal and the edge at the insertion side.

In another embodiment, a distance between the edge at the insertion sideand the front end of the card detection terminal may be equal to orshorter than a distance between the edge at the insertion side and afront end of the second voltage power terminal.

In another embodiment, a distance between the edge at the insertion sideand a rear end of the card detection terminal may be equal to or greaterthan a distance between the edge at the insertion side and a rear end ofthe second voltage power terminal.

In another embodiment, the memory card may further include a memorycontroller and a non-volatile memory device, wherein the first voltagepower terminal is configured to supply power to the non-volatile memorydevice, and the second voltage power terminal is configured to supplypower to the memory controller.

In another embodiment, the memory controller may be connected to thefirst data input terminals and the first data output terminals via afirst signal path through which data is transmitted and received, andmay be connected to the second data input terminals and the second dataoutput terminals via a second signal path through which data istransmitted and received.

According to another aspect of the inventive concepts, a memory card isprovided. The memory card may include a substrate having two pairs ofedges, in which the edges of each pair are arranged opposite to eachother; a plurality of first row terminals that are arranged adjacent toan edge at an insertion side of the substrate and comprise a firstvoltage power terminal for applying a first voltage, and a first groundterminal; a plurality of second row terminals that are spaced fartherapart from the edge at the insertion side than the plurality of firstrow terminals and comprise a second voltage power terminal for applyinga second voltage, and first data terminals; and a plurality of third rowterminals that are spaced farther apart from the edge at the insertionside than the plurality of second row terminals and comprise second dataterminals, wherein a distance between a center of the second rowterminals in a first direction (i.e., a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the edge at the insertion side) and a center of thememory card is approximately about 20% of a length of the memory card inthe first direction, or less.

In one embodiment, the first data terminals may include a pair of firstdata input terminals and a pair of first data output terminals, and thesecond data terminals may include a pair of second data input terminalsand a pair of second data output terminals.

In another embodiment, the second row terminals may further include acard detection terminal disposed adjacent to the second voltage powerterminal, wherein the card detection terminal is a grounded terminal.

In another embodiment, the first data input terminals may be shielded bya pair of ground terminals, the first data output terminals may beshielded by a pair of ground terminals, the second data input terminalsmay be shielded by a pair of ground terminals, and the second dataoutput terminals may be shielded by a pair of ground terminals.

In another embodiment, the second row terminals and the third rowterminals may have common extension ground terminals extending over thesecond row and the third row in the first direction.

In another embodiment, the card detection terminal may extend over thesecond row and the third row in the first direction, and the second rowterminals and the third row terminals may have common extension groundterminals extending over the second row and the third row in the firstdirection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a memory card according to anexemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view illustrating a memory card and someof internal components of the memory card according to an exemplaryembodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating a memory controller ina memory card according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventiveconcepts;

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a memory cardaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIGS. 5A through 5E are plan views illustrating a memory card accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a memory card according to anexemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are a partial perspective views illustrating a memorycontroller in a memory card according to an exemplary embodiment of theinventive concepts;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views illustrating a memory card according toan exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 9A through 9D are plan views illustrating a memory card accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a system in which a memory cardaccording to embodiments of the inventive concepts may be used;

FIG. 11 is a detailed schematic view illustrating a socket of the systemof FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of a memory cardaccording to the inventive concepts;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a memory device including amemory card according to the inventive concepts;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic system including amemory card according to the inventive concepts; and

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an implementation example of anetwork for a server system that includes an electronic device accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The inventive concepts will now be described more fully with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts are shown. The inventive concepts may, however, beembodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as beinglimited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the inventive concepts tothose skilled in the art. Like reference numerals denote like elementsthroughout the specification. Furthermore, various elements and regionsare schematically illustrated in the drawings. Thus, the inventiveconcepts are not limited by the relative sizes or intervals illustratedin the attached drawings.

Terms including ordinal numbers such as ‘first’, ‘second’, etc. are usedto describe various elements, but the elements should not be limited bythese terms. The terms are used only for distinguishing one element fromanother element. For example, without departing from the spirit andscope of the inventive concepts, a first component may be referred to asa second component, or a second component may be referred to as a firstcomponent.

The terms used in the present specification are merely used to describeparticular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the inventiveconcepts. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expressionof the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context.In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms suchas “including” or “having,” etc., are intended to indicate the existenceof the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, orcombinations thereof disclosed in the specification, but are notintended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features,numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof mayexist or may be added.

Unless defined differently, all terms used in the description includingtechnical and scientific terms have the same meanings as generallyunderstood by those skilled in the art. Terms commonly used and definedin dictionaries should be construed as having the same meanings as inthe associated technical context of the inventive concepts, and unlessclearly defined with a specific meaning in the description, these termsshould not be construed as having overly formal meanings.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a memory card 100 according to anexemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts. FIG. 2 is a partialperspective view illustrating the memory card 100 and some of theinternal components of the memory card 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 1, the memory card 100 may have two pairs of edges, inwhich the edges of each pair are arranged opposite to each other. Theedges may include an edge 121 (i.e., an insertion edge) at an insertionside where the memory card 100 is inserted into a socket, a first edge123 and a second edge 125 that adjoin the edge 121 at the insertionside, and a third edge 127 opposite the edge 121 at the insertion side.The insertion edge 121 and the third edge 127 may therefore provide oneof the two pairs of edges, and the first edge 123 and second edge 125may form the other. The edge 121 at the insertion side and the thirdedge 127 may be substantially parallel to each other. A first directionrefers herein to a direction substantially perpendicular to the edge 121at the insertion side.

Referring to FIG. 2, the memory card 100 may include a memory controller192 and a non-volatile memory device 194. While only one non-volatilememory device 194 is illustrated on the memory card 100 shown in FIG. 2,two or more non-volatile memory devices may be mounted thereon.

Referring to FIG. 1, a substrate 110 may include a plurality of firstrow terminals 130 that are arranged adjacent to the insertion edge 121and a plurality of second row terminals 140 that are spaced apart fromthe first row terminals 130 farther from the insertion edge 121.

The first row terminals 130 may include a first voltage power terminal131, first data terminals 135in and 135out, and at least one groundterminal. The first data terminals 135in and 135out may include a pairof first data input terminals 135in and a pair of first data outputterminals 135out.

The second row terminals 140 may include a second voltage power terminal141, second data terminals 145in and 145out, a reference clock terminal147, a card detection terminal 149, and at least one ground terminal.The second data terminals 145in and 145out may include a pair of seconddata input terminals 145in and a pair of second data output terminals145out.

The first row terminals 130 may include the first voltage power terminal131 for applying a first voltage. The first voltage may, for example, beapproximately between about 3.0 V and about 3.5 V. The first voltage maybe supplied to semiconductor devices that operate at a low speed amongsemiconductor devices in the memory card 100. For example, the firstvoltage may be supplied to the non-volatile memory device 194 in thememory card 100.

The second row terminals 140 may include the second voltage powerterminal 141 for applying a second voltage. The second voltage may, forexample, be approximately between about 1.5 V and about 2.2 V. Thesecond voltage may be supplied to semiconductor devices that operate ata high speed among semiconductor devices in the memory card 100. Forexample, the second voltage may be supplied to the memory controller 192in the memory card 100.

Because the first row terminals 130 are closer to the edge 121 at theinsertion side than are the second row terminals 140, power may besupplied to the first row terminals 130 before being supplied to thesecond row terminals 140 when the memory card 100 is inserted. In otherwords, as the memory card 100 is inserted, power of the first voltagemay be supplied to the non-volatile memory device 194 before the card isfully inserted via the first voltage power terminal 131 included in thefirst row terminals 130. Accordingly, the first row terminals 130 mayalso be provided with at least one ground terminal, and a first groundterminal 133 may also be connected to a host during insertion (alongwith the first voltage power terminal 131) so as to form a completepower and ground circuit. By including a ground terminal 133 along witha power terminal 131, the entire memory card 100 may be operated duringinsertion of the memory card 100, before power is even supplied to thememory controller 192, so that an overall operation of the memory card100 can be prepared.

A distance between a front end of the first voltage power terminal 131and the insertion edge 121 may be substantially the same as a distancebetween a front end of the first ground terminal 133 and the insertionedge 121. A length of the first voltage power terminal 131 in the firstdirection may also be substantially the same as a length of the firstground terminal 133 in the first direction.

In embodiments of the inventive concepts, a front end may refer to theone of the two ends of an element that is closer to the insertion edge121 than the other, and a rear end may refer to the one of the two endsof the element that is farther from the insertion edge 121 than theother.

A distance between the front end of the first voltage power terminal 131and the insertion edge 121 (and between the front end of the firstground terminal 133 and the insertion edge 121) may be smaller than adistance between front ends of the first data input terminals 135in andfirst data output terminals 135out and the insertion edge 121. When thememory card 100 is inserted into a socket, the entire memory card 100may be driven prior to signal transmission with respect to a host byallowing each of the first voltage power terminal 131 and the firstground terminal 133 to contact a socket pin before other terminals ofthe first row terminals 130 (such as the first data input terminals135in and the first data output terminals 135out) contact socket pins.

The first data input terminals 135in and the first data output terminals135out may be spaced apart from each other with a ground terminalincluded therebetween. According to an exemplary embodiment, the firstdata input terminals 135in and the first data output terminals 135outmay be spaced apart from each other with the first ground terminal 133included therebetween, thereby preventing signal interference that mayotherwise result from noise between the first data input terminals 135inand the first data output terminals 135out.

One pair of first data input terminals 135in may have substantiallyidentical dimensions, and one pair of first data output terminals 135outmay have substantially identical dimensions. In addition, the first datainput terminals 135in and the first data output terminals 135out mayhave substantially identical dimensions.

A length of the first data input terminals 135in and the first dataoutput terminals 135out in the first direction may be shorter than alength of the first ground terminal 133 in the first direction.

The front end of the first ground terminal 133 may be closer to the edge121 at the insertion side than the front ends of the first data inputterminals 135in and the first data output terminals 135out.

A distance between a rear end of the first ground terminal 133 and theedge 121 at the insertion side may be greater than or equal to adistance between rear ends of the first data input terminals 135in andthe first data output terminals 135out and the edge 121 at the insertionside.

Furthermore, a location range of the first data input terminals 135inand the first data output terminals 135out in the first direction may bewithin a location range of the first ground terminal 133 in the firstdirection.

The first data input terminals 135in and the first data output terminals135out may be spaced apart from each other with the first voltage powerterminal 131 and the first ground terminal 133 included therebetween.

Also, among the first data input terminals 135in and the first dataoutput terminals 135out, a pair of terminals that are adjacent to thefirst voltage power terminal 131 may be spaced apart from the firstvoltage power terminal 131 by a predetermined distance. For example, thepair of terminals adjacent to the first voltage power terminal 131 maybe spaced apart from the first voltage power terminal 131 by a distanceof approximately about 50% to about 150% of a width of the front end ofthe first voltage power terminal 131. Here, the width of the front endof the first voltage power terminal 131 is defined as a width of thefirst voltage power terminal 131 in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to the first direction.

The second row terminals 140 may be disposed in or near a centralportion of the memory card 100. A distance between the second rowterminals 140 and the memory controller 192 and a distance between thesecond row terminals 140 and the non-volatile memory device 194 maythereby be reduced, and routing may be simplified. Thus, a highoperational speed may be achieved and a circuit design may be moreeasily facilitated. For example, when the second row terminals 140 aredisposed in or near the central portion of the memory card 100, routingmay be readily provided by using a via hole passing through first andsecond surfaces of the substrate 110 in a region between the second rowterminals 140 and the third edge 127, and thus, manufacturing time andcosts may be reduced.

In particular, power supplied to a semiconductor device operating at ahigh speed, may be supplied to the memory controller 192 via the secondvoltage power terminal 141. Because the second row terminals 140, inwhich the second voltage power terminal 141 is included, are disposed inor near the central portion of the memory card 100, a path via whichpower is supplied to the memory controller 192 may be minimized. Thismay be advantageous for a high-speed operation. Also, regardless ofwhich portion of the memory card 100 the memory controller 192 isdisposed in, a relatively small distance between the memory controller192 and the second voltage power terminal 141 may be maintained whichmay facilitate convenience in terms of design.

In some embodiments, the second row terminals 140 may be arranged to bespaced apart from the first row terminals 130 and be farther away fromthe edge 121 at the insertion side. The second row terminals 130 may bearranged along an axis B that is substantially parallel to the insertionedge 121 and passes through a middle point M of a length of the memorycard (i.e., a center M of the memory card in the lengthwise direction).The length of the memory card may refer to the length in the firstdirection. In some embodiments, the second row terminals 140 may havevarious lengths in the first direction. However, a center of one of thesecond data terminals may be arranged adjacent to the axis B. In oneembodiment, the center of one of second data terminals may be arrangedadjacent to but spaced apart from the axis B toward the insertion edge121. In another embodiment, the center of one of the second dataterminals may be arranged adjacent to but spaced apart from the axis Btoward the opposite edge 127.

In some embodiments, a distance d in the first direction between acenter of the second row terminals 140 and a center M of the memory card100 may be approximately about 20% or less of a length L of the memorycard 100 in the first direction. The second row terminals 140 may havevarious lengths in the first direction, and moreover, positions of thefront ends and the rear ends of the respective terminals may not beregular. Here, the center of the second row terminals 140 may be definedby a center of a terminal, among the second data input terminals 145inand the second data output terminals 145out, that is closest to the edge121 at the insertion side.

Therefore, regardless of where the memory controller 192 and thenon-volatile memory devices 194 are disposed, a distance between thememory controller 192 and the non-volatile memory devices 194 and thesecond data input terminals 145in and the second data output terminals145out may be minimized, thereby allowing a high speed operation andproviding a degree of freedom in terms of design.

The second row terminals 140 may include a pair of second data inputterminals 145in and a pair of second data output terminals 145out. Whilethe second data input terminals 145in are illustrated as being disposedcloser to the center of the memory card 100 than the second data outputterminals 145out in FIG. 2, positions of the second data input terminals145in and the second data output terminals 145out may be changed.

A pair of second data input terminals 145in may have substantiallyidentical dimensions, and a pair of second data output terminals 145outmay have substantially identical dimensions. Also, the second data inputterminals 145in and the second data output terminals 145out may havesubstantially identical dimensions.

A length in the first direction of the second data input terminals 145inand the second data output terminals 145out may be shorter than a lengthin the first direction of ground terminals 143 included in a second row.

Front ends of the ground terminals 143 included in the second row may becloser to the edge 121 at the insertion side than the front ends of thesecond data input terminals 145in and the second data output terminals145out.

A distance between rear ends of the ground terminals 143 included in thesecond row and the edge 121 at the insertion side may be greater than orequal to a distance between the rear ends of the second data inputterminals 145in and the second data output terminals 145out and the edge121 at the insertion side.

Furthermore, a location range in the first direction of the second datainput terminals 145in and the second data output terminals 145out may bewithin a location range in the first direction of the ground terminals143 included in the second row.

The second data input terminals 145in and the second data outputterminals 145out may be spaced apart from each other with groundterminals included therebetween. The ground terminals may prevent signalnoise between the second data input terminals 145in and the second dataoutput terminals 145out.

The second row terminals 140 may include at least one ground terminal.The second data input terminals 145in may be disposed between a pair ofground terminals so as to be shielded. The second data output terminals145out may also be disposed between a pair of ground terminals so as tobe shielded. The second data input terminals 145in and the second dataoutput terminals 145out may therefore each be shielded by a pair ofground terminals to facilitate the stable inputting or outputting ofdata.

In some embodiments, the second data input terminals 145in and thesecond data output terminals 145out may be spaced apart from each otherwith a ground terminal included therebetween, and all of the second datainput terminals 145in and second data output terminals 145out may bedisposed between a pair of ground terminals. In other words, while thesecond data input terminals 145in are shielded by a pair of groundterminals and the second data output terminals 145out are shielded by apair of ground terminals, the second data input terminals 145in and thesecond data output terminals 145out have a common ground terminal.However, the second data input terminals 145in and the second dataoutput terminals 145out may also be shielded without a common groundterminal therebetween.

Examples of ground terminals that may be used to shield the second datainput terminals 145in and the second data output terminals 145out may,for example, include the card detection terminal 149, which is agrounded terminal.

The front ends of the second voltage power terminal 141 and the groundterminals 143 included in the second row may be disposed to be closer tothe insertion edge 121 than the front ends of the second data inputterminals 145in and the second data output terminals 145out. When thememory card 100 is inserted into a socket, the second voltage powerterminal 141 and the ground terminals 143 included in the second rowcontact a socket pin before other terminals of the second row terminals140 (such as the second data input terminals 145in and the second dataoutput terminals 145out) so that a power and ground circuit that drivethe memory controller 192 can be completed prior to signal transmissionwith respect to a host.

A distance between the front end of the second voltage power terminal141 and the edge 121 at the insertion side may be substantially the sameas a distance between the front ends of the ground terminals 143included in the second row and the edge 121 at the insertion side. Alength in the first direction of the second voltage power terminal 141in the first direction may be substantially the same as a length of theground terminals 143 included in the second row.

The second row terminals 140 may include a reference clock terminal 147.A distance between the reference clock terminal 147 and the memorycontroller 192 may be minimized for a high speed operation. A positionof the memory controller 192 may be varied according to a design of thememory card 100, and thus, reference clock terminal 147 may bepreferably disposed as close to the center of the memory card 100 aspossible. In this regard, the reference clock terminal 147 may bedisposed closer to the center of the memory card 100 than the carddetection terminal 149 or the second voltage power terminal 141.

Also, the second row terminals 140 may be spaced apart from the seconddata input terminals 145in and the second data output terminals 145outwith a ground terminal included therebetween. The reference clockterminal 147 may be spaced apart from the second data input terminals145in and the second data output terminals 145out with a ground terminalincluded therebetween. In this manner, an influence of noise that may becaused due to signal input and output may be minimized, thereby enablinga more stable operation of the memory card 100.

The second row terminals 140 may include the card detection terminal149. The card detection terminal 149 may be disposed adjacent to thesecond voltage power terminal 141. While the card detection terminal 149is disposed closest to the first edge 123 among the second row terminals140, and the second voltage power terminal 141 is disposed along alateral direction of the card detection terminal 149, positions of thecard detection terminal 149 and the second voltage power terminal 141may be exchanged.

The card detection terminal 149 allows a host to determine a type of thememory card 100. The card detection terminal 149 may be a groundedterminal that is electrically connected to a ground line.

By using a grounded terminal as the card detection terminal 149 (ratherthan data input and output terminals) and by allowing a host to receivea ground signal from a socket terminal at a position of the carddetection terminal 149 so as to determine a card type, accuracy in termsof recognition of card types can be remarkably increased. Accordingly,recognition error can be reduced, and moreover, a data input and outputprocess for recognizing a card type may be omitted, thereby increasing arecognition speed.

Positions of the front end of the second voltage power terminal 141 andthe front end of the card detection terminal 149 may be different fromeach other. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the front end of the secondvoltage power terminal 141 may be closer to the insertion edge 121 thanis the front end of the card detection terminal 149.

When host socket pins for contacting the second row terminals 140 arearranged in parallel in a horizontal direction (perpendicular to thefirst direction), the second voltage power terminal 141 (having a frontend closer to the insertion edge 121) contacts the socket pins beforethe card detection terminal 149 when the memory card 100 is inserted. Asa result, power may be supplied to the memory controller 192 in advance,and the memory card 100 may be operated in advance, before the hostrecognizes a type of the memory card 100.

According to principles of the present inventive concepts, however, noterminal may be disposed between the front end of the card detectionterminal 149 and the insertion edge 121. In other words, none of thefirst row terminals 130 are disposed between the front end of the carddetection terminal 149 and the insertion edge 121. Accordingly, when thememory card 100 is inserted, a socket pin corresponding to the carddetection terminal 149 will not erroneously contact other terminals ofthe memory card 100, and thus, an error whereby the host recognizes awrong type of card may be prevented from occurring.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view illustrating the memory controller192 in the memory card 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of theinventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 3, the memory controller 192 is connected to the firstdata input terminals 135in and the first data output terminals 135outvia a first signal path 161 through which data is transmitted andreceived, and is connected to the second data input terminals 145in andthe second data output terminals 145out via a second signal path 162through which data is transmitted and received.

The memory controller 192 may transmit and receive an electrical signalto and from a host or an external device via the first signal path 161and the second signal path 162. The first signal path 161 and the secondsignal path 162 may be formed on a second surface opposite a firstsurface of the substrate 110 on which the first row terminals 130 areformed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the memory card100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 4, the plurality of first row terminals 130 and theplurality of second row terminals 140 may be disposed on a first surface112 of the substrate 110. In addition, the non-volatile memory device194 and the memory controller 192 may be disposed on a second surface114 of the substrate 110 opposite the first surface of the substrate110. However, positions, sizes, and correlation between the elements areexemplary.

The memory controller 192 may be electrically connected to the first rowterminals 130 and the second row terminals 140. For example, the memorycontroller 192 may be electrically connected to the first row terminals130 and the second row terminals 140 via a wire 183, wiring formed onthe first and second surfaces of the substrate 110, or a wiring layer ora through via formed inside the substrate 110.

Also, the memory controller 192 may be electrically connected to thenon-volatile memory device 194. For example, the memory controller 192may be electrically connected to the non-volatile memory device 194 viathe wire 183.

FIGS. 5A through 5E are plan views illustrating the memory card 100according to exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIGS. 5A through 5E, a length and a position of the carddetection terminal 149 in the first direction may be modified asdescribed below.

A distance between the front end of the card detection terminal 149 andthe insertion edge 121 may be equal to or shorter than a distancebetween the front end of the second voltage power terminal 141 and theinsertion edge 121, so that the host may recognize a card at the sametime as or before the memory controller 192 is driven.

A distance between a rear end of the card detection terminal 149 and theedge 121 at the insertion side may be equal to or greater than adistance between the rear end of the second voltage power terminal 141and the insertion edge 121, so that overtravel, which refers todeviation of the card detection terminal 149 from a corresponding socketpin when it is completely inserted, may be minimized.

Referring to FIG. 5A, lengths in the first direction of the secondvoltage power terminal 141 and the card detection terminal 149 may besubstantially identical. Also, positions of the front ends of the secondvoltage power terminal 141 and the card detection terminal 149 at theedge 121 at the insertion side are substantially the same. In otherwords, a distance between the edge 121 at the insertion side and thefront end of the card detection terminal 149 may be substantially thesame as a distance between the edge 121 at the insertion side and thefront end of the second voltage power terminal 141.

When the second voltage power terminal 141 and the card detectionterminal 149 are configured as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the secondvoltage power terminal 141 and the card detection terminal 149 maysubstantially simultaneously contact socket terminals, and the carddetection terminal 149 (which is a ground terminal) and the groundterminals 143 included in the second row may substantiallysimultaneously contact the socket terminals. Mutual interference betweenterminals due to noise may therefore be minimized. Furthermore, as therear end of the card detection terminal 149 is withdrawn to a positionof the rear end of the second voltage power terminal 141, overtravel,which refers to deviation of the card detection terminal 149 from acorresponding position of a socket pin, may be minimized.

Referring to FIG. 5B, a length of the second voltage power terminal 141in the first direction may be smaller than a length of the carddetection terminal 149 in the first direction. Also, a distance betweenthe edge 121 at the insertion side and the front end of the carddetection terminal 149 may be substantially the same as a distancebetween the edge 121 at the insertion side and the front end of thesecond voltage power terminal 141.

When the second voltage power terminal 141 and the card detectionterminal 149 are configured as illustrated in FIG. 5B, the secondvoltage power terminal 141 and the card detection terminal 149 maysubstantially simultaneously contact socket terminals, and the carddetection terminal 149 (which is a ground terminal) and the groundterminals 143 included in the second row may substantiallysimultaneously contact the socket terminals. Mutual interference betweenterminals due to noise may thereby be minimized. Furthermore, as therear end of the card detection terminal 149 extends farther than theposition of the rear end of the second voltage power terminal 141,overtravel (which refers to deviation of the card detection terminal 149from a corresponding position of a socket pin) may be further minimized.

Referring to FIG. 5C, a length of the card detection terminal 149 in thefirst direction may be shorter than a length of the second voltage powerterminal 141. Also, a distance between the edge 121 at the insertionside and the front end of the card detection terminal 149 may besubstantially the same as a distance between the edge 121 at theinsertion side and the front end of the second voltage power terminal141.

Also, a distance between the edge 121 at the insertion side and the rearend of the card detection terminal 149 is smaller than a distancebetween the edge 121 at the insertion side and the rear end of thesecond voltage power terminal 141.

When the second voltage power terminal 141 and the card detectionterminal 149 are configured as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the secondvoltage power terminal 141 and the card detection terminal 149 maysubstantially simultaneously contact socket terminals, and the carddetection terminal 149 (which is a ground terminal) and the groundterminals 143 included in the second row may substantiallysimultaneously contact the socket terminals. Mutual interference betweenterminals due to noise may thereby be minimized.

Referring to FIG. 5D, a length of the card detection terminal 149 in thefirst direction may be longer than a length of the second voltage powerterminal 141. Also, a distance between the edge 121 at the insertionside and the front end of the card detection terminal 149 may be smallerthan a distance between the edge 121 at the insertion side and the frontend of the second voltage power terminal 141.

Also, a distance between the edge 121 at the insertion side and the rearend of the card detection terminal 149 may be substantially the same asa distance between the edge 121 at the insertion side and the rear endof the second voltage power terminal 141.

When the second voltage power terminal 141 and the card detectionterminal 149 are configured as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the carddetection terminal 149 may contact socket terminals before the carddetection terminal 149 does (i.e., preferentially contact socketterminals), so that a host may promptly perform card recognition, thusenabling a quick response of the host.

Furthermore, as the rear end of the card detection terminal 149 iswithdrawn to a position of the rear end of the second voltage powerterminal 141, overtravel (which refers to deviation of the carddetection terminal 149 from a corresponding position of a socket pin)may be minimized.

Referring to FIG. 5E, a length of the card detection terminal 149 in thefirst direction may be longer than a length of the second voltage powerterminal 141. Also, a distance between the edge 121 at the insertionside and the front end of the card detection terminal 149 may be smallerthan a distance between the edge 121 at the insertion side and the frontend of the second voltage power terminal 141.

Also, a distance between the edge 121 at the insertion side and the rearend of the card detection terminal 149 is greater than a distancebetween the edge 121 at the insertion side and the rear end of thesecond voltage power terminal 141.

When the second voltage power terminal 141 and the card detectionterminal 149 are configured as illustrated in FIG. 5E, the carddetection terminal 149 may preferentially contact socket terminals(i.e., before contact with the other terminals) so that a host maypromptly perform card recognition, thus enabling a quick response of thehost.

Furthermore, as the rear end of the card detection terminal 149 extendsfarther than the position of the rear end of the second voltage powerterminal 141, overtravel (which refers to deviation of the carddetection terminal 149 from a corresponding position of a socket pin)may be further minimized.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a memory card 200 according to anexemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 6, a substrate 210 may include a plurality of firstrow terminals 230 arranged adjacent to an edge 221 at an insertion side,a plurality of second row terminals 240 that are spaced farther apartfrom the edge 221 at the insertion side than the first row terminals230, and a plurality of third row terminals 250 that are spaced fartherapart from the edge 221 at the insertion side than the second rowterminals 240.

The first row terminals 230 may include a first voltage power terminal231 and at least one ground terminal 233.

The second row terminals 240 may include a second voltage power terminal241, first data terminals 245in and 245out, a reference clock terminal247, a card detection terminal 249, and at least one ground terminal243. The first data terminals 245in and 245out may include a pair offirst data input terminals 245in and a pair of first data outputterminals 245out. The card detection terminal 249 may be disposedadjacent to the second voltage power terminal 241 and may be a groundedterminal.

The third row terminals 250 may include second data terminals 255in and255out and at least one ground terminal 253. The second data terminals255in and 255out may include a pair of second data input terminals 255inand a pair of second data output terminals 255out.

The first row terminals 230 may include a first voltage power terminal231 for applying a first voltage that may be, for example, approximatelybetween about 3.0 V and about 3.5 V. The first voltage may be suppliedto semiconductor devices among semiconductor devices in the memory card200 that operate at a low speed. For example, the first voltage may besupplied to a non-volatile memory device in the memory card 200.

The second row terminals 240 may include a second voltage power terminal241 for applying a second voltage that may be, for example,approximately between about 1.5 V and about 2.2 V. The second voltagemay be supplied to semiconductor devices among semiconductor devices inthe memory card 200 that operate at a high speed. For example, thesecond voltage may be supplied to a memory controller 292 in the memorycard 200 (see FIG. 7A).

The third row terminals 250 may include a pair of second data inputterminals 255in and a pair of second data output terminals 255out. Whilethe second data output terminals 255out are illustrated as beingdisposed closer to a center of the memory card 200 than the second datainput terminals 255in in FIG. 6, positions of the second data inputterminals 255in and the second data output terminals 255out may beexchanged and positions of the second data input terminals 255in and thesecond data output terminals 255out may be varied.

A pair of second data input terminals 255in may have substantiallyidentical dimensions, and a pair of second data output terminals 255outmay have substantially identical dimensions. Also, the second data inputterminals 255in and the second data output terminals 255out may havesubstantially identical dimensions.

A length of the second data input terminals 255in and the second dataoutput terminals 255out in the first direction may be shorter than alength of ground terminals 253 included in a third row in the firstdirection.

Front ends of the ground terminals 253 included in the third row may becloser to the edge 221 at the insertion side than front ends of thesecond data input terminals 255in and the second data output terminals255out.

A distance between the rear ends of the ground terminals 253 included inthe third row and the edge 221 at the insertion side may be greater thanor equal to a distance between the second data input terminals 255in andthe second data output terminals 255out and the edge 221 at theinsertion side.

Furthermore, a location range in the first direction of the second datainput terminals 255in and the second data output terminals 255out may bewithin a location range in the first direction of the ground terminals253 included in the third row.

The second row terminals 240 may be disposed in or near a center portionof the memory card 200. A distance between the second row terminals 240and the memory controller 292 and a distance between the second rowterminals 240 and the non-volatile memory device 294 may be reduced, androuting may be simplified. Thus, a high operational speed may beachieved and a circuit design may be more easily configured.

For example, a distance d in a first direction between a center of thesecond row terminals 240 and a center M of the memory card 200 may beapproximately about 20% or less of a length L of the memory card 200 inthe first direction. The second row terminals 240 may have variouslengths in the first direction, and moreover, positions of the frontends and the rear ends of the respective terminals may not be regular.Here, the center of the second row terminals 240 is defined by a centerof a terminal that is closest to the edge 221 at the insertion side,among the first data input terminals 245in and the first data outputterminals 245out.

The second data input terminals 255in and the second data outputterminals 255out may be spaced apart from each other with a groundterminal included therebetween. The ground terminal may prevent signalnoise between the second data input terminals 255in and the second dataoutput terminals 255out.

The second data input terminals 255in may be disposed between a pair ofground terminals so as to be shielded. The second data output terminals255out may also be disposed between a pair of ground terminals so as tobe shielded. The second data input terminals 255in and the second dataoutput terminals 255out may each be shielded by a pair of groundterminals, thereby enabling the stable inputting or outputting of data.

In some embodiments, the second data input terminals 255in and thesecond data output terminals 255out may be spaced apart from each otherwith a ground terminal included therebetween, and the second data inputterminals 255in and the second data output terminals 255out as a wholemay be disposed between a pair of ground terminals. In other words,while the second data input terminals 255in are shielded by a pair ofground terminals and the second data output terminals 255out areshielded by a pair of ground terminals, the second data input terminals255in and the second data output terminals 255out may have a commonground terminal. However, the second data input terminals 255in and thesecond data output terminals 255out may also be shielded without acommon ground terminal therebetween.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial perspective views illustrating the memorycontroller 292 in the memory card 200 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the memory controller 292 is connected to thefirst data input terminals 245in and the first data output terminals245out via a first signal path 261 through which data is transmitted andreceived, and is connected to the second data input terminals 255in andthe second data output terminals 255out via a second signal path 262through which data is transmitted and received.

The memory controller 192 may transmit and receive an electrical signalto and from a host or an external device via the first signal path 261and the second signal path 262. The first signal path 261 and the secondsignal path 262 may be formed on a second surface opposite a firstsurface of the substrate 210 on which the first row terminals 230 areformed.

The third row terminals 250 may be arranged more adjacent to a thirdedge 227 than the second row terminals 240. In this case, compared tothe exemplary embodiment in which data input and output terminals aredisposed in the first row as in FIG. 2, a signal transfer pathconnecting the memory controller 292 and the second data input terminals255in and the second data output terminals 255out may be reduced.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the memory controller 292 may be disposedat various positions in order to reduce lengths of the first signal path261 and the second signal path 262 or a length difference between thepaths. For example, the memory controller 292 may be disposed adjacentto a third edge 227.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the memory controller 292 may be disposed adjacentto a portion where a first edge 223 and the third edge 227 meet. Thesecond data input terminals 255in may be disposed at positions in anextension direction of the first data input terminals 245in which is thefirst direction, and the second data output terminals 255out may bedisposed at positions in an extension direction (i.e., the firstdirection) of the first data output terminals 245out.

Referring to FIG. 7B, the memory controller 292 may be disposed adjacentto a portion where the second edge 225 and the third edge 227 meet. Thesecond data output terminals 255out may be disposed along a directionwhich the first data input terminals 245in extend in the firstdirection, and the second data input terminals 255in may be spaced apartfrom the second data output terminals 255out with a ground terminalincluded therebetween.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are plan views illustrating a memory card 200 accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 8A, the second row terminals 240 and the third rowterminals 250 have common ground terminals 263 (extension groundterminals) extending in the first direction from the second row to thethird row. A pair of first data input terminals 245in are disposedbetween any one pair of the extension ground terminals 263 so as to beshielded, and a pair of first data output terminals 245out may bedisposed between any one pair of the extension ground terminals 263 soas to be shielded. Also, a pair of second data input terminals 255in maybe disposed between any one pair of the extension ground terminals 263so as to be shielded, and a pair of second data output terminals 255outmay be disposed between any one pair of the extension ground terminals263 so as to be shielded.

Front ends of the extension ground terminals 263 may be disposed closerto the insertion edge 221 than the front ends of the first data inputterminals 245in and the first data output terminals 245out. Also, rearends of the extension ground terminals 263 may be at approximately thesame distance as or farther than rear ends of the second data inputterminals 255in and the second data output terminals 255out from theinsertion edge 221.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first data input terminals245in and the second data input terminals 255in may be all shielded bythe same pair of extension ground terminals 263, which are extensionground terminals 263 a and 263 b, and the first data output terminals245out and the second data output terminals 255out may be all shieldedby the same pair of extension ground terminals 263, which are extensionground terminals 263 b and 263 c. Although FIG. 8A illustrates the aboveexample only, positions of the second data input terminals 255in and thesecond data output terminals 255out may be exchanged such that the firstdata input terminals 245in and the second data output terminals 255outare all shielded by the same pair of extension ground terminals 263,which are the extension ground terminals 263 a and 263 b, and the firstdata output terminals 245out and the second data input terminals 255inare all shielded by the same pair of extension ground terminals 263,which are the extension ground terminals 263 b and 263 c.

Interference between terminals may therefore be prevented by providingthe extension ground terminals 263 which extend from the second row tothe third row. Also, when the memory card 200 is inserted into a socket,overtravel, which refers to temporary deviation of a pin of the socketcorresponding to ground terminals, may be prevented.

Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 6, by using the extension groundterminals 263, when arranging socket pins, the socket pin correspondingto the ground terminals 253 included in the third row may be omitted,and the memory card 200 may be operated using only socket pinscorresponding to the ground terminals 243 included in the second row.

Referring to FIG. 8B, the second row 240 and the third row 250 have theextension ground terminals 263 extending from the second row 240 to thethird row 250 in the first direction, and the card detection terminal249 which is a grounded terminal may also extend from the second row 240to the third row 250 in the first direction. Either the first data inputterminals 245in or the first data output terminals 245out may bedisposed between the extension ground terminals 263 so as to beshielded, and the other terminals may be disposed between any oneextension ground terminal among the extension ground terminals 263 and anon-extended ground terminal, so as to be shielded. Also, either thesecond data input terminals 255in or the second data output terminals255out may be disposed between the extension ground terminals 263 so asto be shielded, and the other terminals may be disposed between any oneof the extension ground terminals 263 and the card detection terminal249, so as to be shielded.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the first data input terminals245in and the second data output terminals 255out may be shielded by apair of identical extension ground terminals 263, and the second datainput terminals 255in may be disposed between one extension groundterminal 263 a and the card detection terminal 249 so as to be shielded.Although FIG. 8B illustrates the above example only, the first datainput terminals 245in and the first data output terminals 245out may beshielded after exchanging the positions of the first data inputterminals 245in and the first data output terminals 245out, and thesecond data input terminals 255in and the second data output terminals255out may also be shielded after exchanging the positions of the seconddata input terminals 255in and the second data output terminals 255out.

By arranging the extension ground terminals 263 extending over thesecond row and the third row and the card detection terminal 249 (whichis a grounded terminal) and extends over the second row and the thirdrow, interference between the terminals may be prevented. In particular,overtravel (which refers to deviation of a position of a pin of a socketcorresponding to the ground terminals) may be prevented when the memorycard 200 is inserted into a socket, and overtravel of a pin of thesocket corresponding to the card detection terminal 249 may beprevented.

Furthermore, with reference to FIG. 6, by using the extension groundterminals 263 and the extending card detection terminal 249, whenarranging socket pins, socket pins corresponding to the ground terminals253 included in the third row may be omitted, and the memory card 200may be operated using only socket pins corresponding to the groundterminals 243 included in the second row.

FIG. 9A through 9D are plan views illustrating a memory card 300according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 9A, the memory card 300 may include a memorycontroller 392 and a non-volatile memory device 394. While onenon-volatile memory device 394 is illustrated in FIG. 9A, at least twonon-volatile memory devices 394 may also be mounted.

A substrate 310 may include a plurality of first row terminals 330disposed adjacent to an edge 321 at an insertion side, a plurality ofsecond row terminals 340 that are spaced farther apart from the edge 321at the insertion side than the first row terminals 330, and a pluralityof third row terminals 350 that are spaced farther apart from the edge321 at the insertion side than the second row terminals 340.

The first row terminals 330 may include a first voltage power terminal331 and at least one ground terminal 333.

A first voltage may be, for example, between about 3.0 V and about 3.5V. The first voltage may be supplied to semiconductor devices thatoperate at a low speed among semiconductor devices in the memory card300. For example, the first voltage may be supplied to the non-volatilememory device 394 in the memory card 300.

The second row terminals 340 may include a second voltage power terminal341, data terminals 345in and 345out, a reference clock terminal 347, acard detection terminal 349, and at least one ground terminal 343. Thedata terminals 345in and 345out may include a pair of data inputterminals 345in and a pair of data output terminals 345out. The carddetection terminal 349 may be disposed adjacent to the second voltagepower terminal 341 and may be a grounded terminal.

A second voltage may be, for example, between about 1.5 V and about 2.2V. The second voltage may be supplied to semiconductor devices thatoperate at a high speed among semiconductor devices in the memory card300. For example, the second voltage may be supplied to the memorycontroller 392 in the memory card 300.

The third row terminals 350 may include a third voltage power terminal351.

A third voltage may be, for example, between about 1.0 V and about 1.5V. The third voltage may be supplied to semiconductor devices thatoperate at a high speed among semiconductor devices in the memory card300. For example, the third voltage may be supplied to the memorycontroller 392 in the memory card 300.

The memory controller 392 may selectively receive one of the second andthird voltages. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto, and a plurality of memory controllers may be included and thesecond voltage power terminal 341 and the third voltage power terminal351 may supply voltages to different memory controllers.

The third voltage power terminal 351 may be spaced apart from the secondvoltage power terminal 341 in the first direction. The third voltagepower terminal 351 does not overlap with positions of the data terminals345in and 345out extending in the first direction. Accordingly, when thememory card 300 is inserted, a malfunction caused by unnecessary contactbetween a socket pin corresponding to the data terminals 345in and345out and the third voltage power terminal 351 may be prevented fromoccurring.

In order to prevent a malfunction caused by deviation of a socket pincorresponding to the second voltage power terminal 341 from the secondvoltage power terminal 341 while the data terminals 345in and 345out areconnected to a host, a length of the second voltage power terminal 341in the first direction may be longer than a length of the data terminals345in and 345out in the first direction. Here, a front end of the secondvoltage power terminal 341 may be disposed to be closer to the edge 321at the insertion side than a front end of the data terminals 345in and345out, and a rear end of the second voltage power terminal 341 may bedisposed to be farther from the edge 321 at the insertion side than arear end of the data terminals 345in and 345out. That is, in regard tothe first direction, the data terminals 345in and 345out may be within arange of the second voltage power terminal 341.

In addition, a length of the third voltage power terminal 351 in thefirst direction may be substantially the same as the length of thesecond voltage power terminal 341 in the first direction. In otherwords, the length of the third voltage power terminal 351 in the firstdirection may be longer than the length of the data terminals 345in and345out in the first direction. Accordingly, a malfunction caused bydeviation of a socket pin corresponding to the third voltage powerterminal 351 from the third voltage power terminal 351 may be preventedfrom occurring.

Referring to FIG. 9B, the third voltage power terminal 351 may be spacedapart from the reference clock terminal 347 in the first direction. Thethird voltage power terminal 351 does not overlap with positions of thedata terminals 345in and 345out extending in the first direction.Accordingly, when the memory card 300 is inserted, a malfunction causedby unnecessary contact between a socket pin corresponding to the dataterminals 345in and 345out and the third voltage power terminal 351 maybe prevented from occurring. In addition, a voltage of about 1.2 V maybe applied to the reference clock terminal 347, and thus, the same levelof voltage as that of the third voltage power terminal 351 may beapplied to the reference clock terminal 347. Thus, when the memory card300 is completed inserted, a malfunction may be prevented even when asocket pin corresponding to the reference clock terminal 347 contactsthe third voltage power terminal 351.

In FIGS. 9A and 9B, the memory controller 392 is connected to the dataterminals 345in and 345out via a signal path through which data istransmitted and received. Compared to FIG. 3, the memory card 300includes the data terminals 345in and 345out only in the second row, andthus, the memory controller 392 may be connected to the data terminals345in and 345out via a single signal path.

Referring to FIG. 9C, the first row terminals 330 may include first dataterminals 335in and 335out, and the second terminals 340 may includesecond data terminals 345in and 345out. The third voltage power terminal351 may have a position and a length of the third voltage power terminal351 described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B. While the third voltagepower terminal 351 is illustrated as being spaced apart from the secondvoltage power terminal 341 in the first direction, the third voltagepower terminal 351 may be spaced apart also from the reference clockterminal 347 in the first direction. Even when the memory card 300 iscompletely inserted, there is no need to concern about a contact betweenthe third voltage power terminal 351 and a socket pin corresponding tothe first data terminals 335in and 335out. Thus, even when the firstdata terminals 335in and 335out are disposed at positions in anextension direction of the third voltage power terminal 351 which is thefirst direction, a malfunction due to unnecessary contact with thesocket pin does not occur.

Referring to FIG. 9D, the second row terminals 340 may include firstdata terminals 345in and 345out, and the third row terminals 350 mayinclude second data terminals 355in and 355out. The third voltage powerterminal 351 may have a position and a length of the third voltage powerterminal 351 described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B. While thethird voltage power terminal 351 is illustrated as being spaced apartfrom the second voltage power terminal 341 in the first direction, thethird voltage power terminal 351 may be spaced apart also from thereference clock terminal 347 in the first direction. As the first dataterminals 345in and 345out or the second data terminals 355in and 355outare not disposed at positions in an extension direction of the thirdvoltage power terminal 351 which is the first direction, a malfunctiondue to unnecessary contact with a socket pin is not caused.

In FIGS. 9C and 9D, the memory card 300 includes data terminals in tworows, and the memory controller 392 (see FIG. 9A) may be connected tothe data terminals included in the two rows via signal paths.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view illustrating a system 500 in which thememory card 100 or 200 or 300 according to exemplary embodiments of theinventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 9, the system 500 includes a socket 520, the memorycard 100, 200 or 300 described above with reference to the previousembodiments, a card interface controller 530, and a host 540. The memorycard 100 may be insertable into and contact the socket 520. The socket520 may be configured to be electrically connected to the first rowterminals 130, 230, 330 and the second row terminals 140, 240, or 340 ofthe memory card 100, 200, or 300 or to be electrically connected to thefirst row terminals 130, 230, or 330, the second row terminals 140, 240,or 340, and the third row terminals 250 or 350 of the memory card 100,200, or 300. The card interface controller 530 may control data exchangewith the memory card 100, 200 or 300 via the socket 520. The cardinterface controller 530 may also be used to store data in the memorycard 100, 200, or 300. The host 540 may control the card interfacecontroller 530.

FIG. 11 is a detailed schematic view illustrating the socket 520 of FIG.10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the socket 520, into which the memory card 100,200 or 300 is insertable, is provided.

The socket 520 may include first row-corresponding socket pin 521corresponding to the first row terminals 130, 230, or 330 of the memorycard 100, 200 or 300, second row-corresponding socket pins 522corresponding to the second row terminals 140, 240, or 2340 of thememory card 100 or 200, and third row-corresponding socket pins 523corresponding to the third row terminals 250 of the memory card 200. Thesocket 520 accommodating the memory card 100 which does not includethird row terminals may not include the third row-corresponding socketpins 523. Also, the socket 520 may include a housing 525 that mayaccommodate the first row-corresponding socket pins 521, the second-rowcorresponding socket pins 522, and the third-row corresponding socketpins 523.

The memory card 100, 200 or 300 may operate by being inserted into thehousing 525 to contact the first row-corresponding socket pins 521, thesecond-row corresponding socket pins 522, and the third-rowcorresponding socket pins 523.

As described with reference to FIG. 10, the socket 520 may beelectrically connected to the card interface controller 530 which inputsor outputs power, a signal, and/or data to the first row-correspondingsocket pins 521, the second-row corresponding socket pins 522, and thethird-row corresponding socket pins 523.

A socket pin may exist among the first row-corresponding socket pins521, the second-row corresponding socket pins 522, and the third-rowcorresponding socket pins 523, which is configured to recognize theinserted memory card 100, 200 or 300 as a first type card if apredetermined terminal corresponding to the inserted memory card 100,200 or 300 is a ground terminal, and to recognize the inserted memorycard 100, 200 or 300 as a second type card if a predetermined terminalis not a ground terminal.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view illustrating a structure of a memory card2000 according to the inventive concepts.

In detail, a controller 2100 and a memory 2200 may be configured in thememory card 2000 so as to exchange an electrical signal. For example, ifthe controller 2100 gives a command, the memory 2200 may transmit data.The memory card 2000 may be the memory cards described above.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a memory device 3200 including amemory card according to the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 13, the memory device 3200 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the inventive concepts includes a memory card 3210. Thememory card 3210 may include at least one of the memory cards of theabove-described embodiments. Also, the memory card 3210 may furtherinclude a semiconductor memory device in another form (for example, anon-volatile memory device and/or a static random access memory (SRAM)device). The memory device 3200 may include a memory controller 3220that controls data exchange between a host and the memory card 3210.

The memory controller 3220 may include a processing unit 3222 thatcontrols an overall operation of the memory device 3200. Also, thememory controller 3220 may include an SRAM 3221 that is used as anoperation memory of the processing unit 3222. In addition, the memorycontroller 3220 may further include a host interface 3223 and a memoryinterface 3225. The host interface 3223 may include a data exchangeprotocol between the memory device 3200 and the host. The memoryinterface 3225 may connect the memory controller 3220 and the memorycard 3210. Furthermore, the memory controller 3220 may further includean error correction code (ECC) block 3224. The ECC block 3224 may detectand correct an error of data read from the memory card 3210. Althoughnot illustrated, the memory device 3200 may further include a read onlymemory (ROM) device that stores code data for interfacing with the host.The memory device 3200 may also be implemented by using a solid statedrive (SSD) which may replace a hard disk of a computer system.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an electronic system 4100including a memory card according to the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 14, the electronic system 4100 may include acontroller 4110, an input/output (I/O) device 4120, a memory device4130, an interface 4140, and a bus 4150. The controller 4110, theinput/output device 4120, the memory device 4130, and/or the interface4140 may be coupled to one another via the bus 4150. The bus 4150corresponds to a path through which data is transmitted.

The controller 4110 may include at least one of a microprocessor, adigital signal processor, a microcontroller, and logic devices that mayperform these similar functions. The input/output device 4120 mayinclude a keypad, a keyboard, a display device or the like. The memorydevice 4130 may store data and/or commands. The memory device 4130 mayinclude at least one of the memory cards described in the aboveembodiments. Also, the memory device 4130 may further include asemiconductor memory device in another form (for example, a non-volatilememory device and/or an SRAM device). Data may be transmitted to orreceived from a communication network via the interface 4140. Theinterface 4140 may be in a wired or wireless form. For example, theinterface 4140 may include an antenna or a wired/wireless transceiver.Although not illustrated, the electronic system 4100 may furtherinclude, as an operation memory device to improve an operation of thecontroller 4110, a high-speed dynamic random access memory (DRAM) deviceand/or an SRAM device.

The electronic system 4100 may be applied to a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a portable computer, a web tablet, a wireless phone, amobile phone, a digital music player, or any electronic products thattransmit and/or receive information in a wireless environment.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an implementation example of anetwork 5200 for a server system 5100 that includes an electronic deviceaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concepts.

Referring to FIG. 15, a network system 5000 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the inventive concepts may include a server system 5100and multiple terminals 5300, 5400, and 5500 that are connected via thenetwork 5200. The server system 5100 according to the present exemplaryembodiment may include a server 5110 that processes requests receivedfrom the terminals 5300, 5400, and 5500 connected to the network 5200and an electronic device 5120 that stores data corresponding to therequests received from the terminals 5300, 5400, and 5500. Theelectronic device 5120 may include, for example, at least one of thememory cards according to the exemplary embodiments. The electronicdevice 5120 may be, for example, an SSD.

Meanwhile, the electronic device 5120 according to the inventiveconcepts described above may be mounted using various types of packages.For example, the electronic device 5120 according to the inventiveconcepts may be mounted using packages such as a package on package(POP), ball grid arrays (BGAs), chip scale packages (CSPs), a plasticleaded chip carrier (PLCC), a plastic dual in-line package (PDIP), a diein waffle pack, a die in wafer form, a chip on board (COB), a ceramicdual in-line package (CERDIP), a plastic metric quad flat pack (MQFP), athin quad flatpack (TQFP), a small outline integrated circuit (SOIC), ashrink small outline package (SSOP), a thin small outline package(TSOP), a thin quad flat pack (TQFP), a system in package (SIP), amulti-chip package (MCP), a wafer-level fabricated package (WFP), or awafer-level processed stack package (WSP).

While the inventive concepts has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory card comprising: a substrate having afirst pair of edges and a second pair of edges in which edges of eachpair are arranged opposite to each other, at least one of the edgesbeing an insertion edge of the memory card; a memory device and a memorycontroller in the substrate; a plurality of first row terminals disposedon the substrate and arranged adjacent to the insertion edge; aplurality of second row terminals spaced apart from the plurality offirst row terminals and located farther from the insertion edge than theplurality of first row terminals, the plurality of second row terminalsincluding a first voltage power terminal for applying a first voltage tothe memory controller, a pair of first data input terminals electricallyconnected to the memory controller via a first input signal path, and apair of first data output terminals electrically connected to the memorycontroller via a first output signal path; and a plurality of third rowterminals spaced apart from the plurality of second row terminals andlocated farther from the insertion edge than the plurality of second rowterminals, the plurality of third row terminals comprising a secondvoltage power terminal for applying a second voltage to the memorycontroller, a pair of second data input terminals electrically connectedto the memory controller via a second input signal path, and a pair ofsecond data output terminals electrically connected to the memorycontroller via a second output signal path; wherein the first voltageand the second voltage are different from each other.
 2. The memory cardof claim 1, wherein the first voltage is higher than the second voltage.3. The memory card of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first rowterminals further comprise a first ground terminal disposed between thepair of first data input terminals and the pair of first data outputterminals.
 4. The memory card of claim 3, wherein a length of the firstground terminal in a first direction that is substantially perpendicularto the insertion edge is greater than a length of the pair of first datainput terminals in the first direction and a length of the pair of firstdata output terminals in the first direction.
 5. The memory card ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of second row terminals further include acard detection terminal which is grounded terminal.
 6. The memory cardof claim 5, wherein a distance between a front end of the card detectionterminal and the insertion edge in a first direction that issubstantially perpendicular to the insertion edge is equal to or lessthan a distance between a front end of the first voltage power terminaland the insertion edge in the first direction.
 7. The memory card ofclaim 5, wherein a length of the card detection terminal in a firstdirection that is substantially perpendicular to the insertion edge isequal to or greater than a length of the first voltage power terminal inthe first direction.
 8. The memory card of claim 1, wherein theplurality of second row terminals further comprise a reference clockterminal and a first ground terminal, and the reference clock terminalis disposed between the first voltage power terminal and the firstground terminal.
 9. The memory card of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofsecond row terminals further comprise a second ground terminal disposedbetween the pair of second data input terminals and the pair of seconddata output terminals.
 10. The memory card of claim 1, wherein the pairof first data input terminals are spaced apart from the pair of seconddata input terminals in a first direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the insertion edge, and the pair of first data outputterminals are spaced apart from the pair of second data output terminalsin the first direction.
 11. The memory card of claim 1, wherein thesecond voltage power terminal is spaced apart from the first voltagepower terminal in a first direction that is substantially perpendicularto the insertion edge.
 12. A memory card comprising: a substrate havinga first pair of edges and a second pair of edges in which edges of eachpair are arranged opposite to each other, at least one of the edgesbeing an insertion edge of the memory card; a memory device and a memorycontroller in the substrate; a plurality of first row terminals disposedon the substrate and arranged adjacent to the insertion edge; aplurality of second row terminals spaced apart from the plurality offirst row terminals and located farther from the insertion edge than theplurality of first row terminals, the plurality of second row terminalsincluding a first voltage power terminal for applying a first voltage tothe memory controller, first ground terminals, a pair of first datainput terminals electrically connected to the memory controller via afirst input signal path, a pair of first data output terminalselectrically connected to the memory controller via a first outputsignal path, a card detection terminal, and a reference clock terminal;and a plurality of third row terminals spaced apart from the pluralityof second row terminals and located farther from the insertion edge thanthe plurality of second row terminals, the plurality of third rowterminals comprising a second voltage power terminal for applying asecond voltage to the memory controller, second ground terminals, a pairof second data input terminals electrically connected to the memorycontroller via a second input signal path, and a pair of second dataoutput terminals electrically connected to the memory controller via asecond output signal path; wherein the first voltage is higher than thesecond voltage.
 13. The memory card of claim 12, wherein the firstvoltage is between about 1.5 V and about 2.2 V, and the second voltageis between about 1.0 V and about 1.5 V.
 14. The memory card of claim 12,wherein the card detection terminal, the first voltage power terminal,the reference clock terminal, the pair of first data input terminals andthe pair of first data output terminals are sequentially disposed in adirection substantially parallel to the insertion edge.
 15. The memorycard of claim 12, wherein the pair of first data input terminals areshielded by a pair of first ground terminals, and the pair of first dataoutput terminals are shielded by a pair of first ground terminals. 16.The memory card of claim 12, wherein the card detection terminal is agrounded terminal, and no terminal is disposed between a front end ofthe card detection terminal and the insertion edge.
 17. The memory cardof claim 12, wherein the second voltage power terminal, the pair ofsecond data input terminals and the pair of second data output terminalsare sequentially disposed in a direction substantially parallel to theinsertion edge.
 18. The memory card of claim 12, wherein the pair ofsecond data input terminals are shielded by a pair of second groundterminals, and the pair of second data output terminals are shielded bya pair of second ground terminals.
 19. The memory card of claim 12,wherein the second voltage power terminal is spaced apart from thereference clock terminal in a first direction that is substantiallyperpendicular to the insertion edge.
 20. The memory card of claim 12,wherein the plurality of second row terminals are arranged on oradjacent to a hypothetical middle axis of the memory card, and thehypothetical middle axis is substantially parallel to the insertion edgeand passes through a center of the memory card.